Over the years, the Nigerian government and partner agencies have implemented several interventions to unlock the untapped food security potential of aquaculture. However, there still exists a dearth of knowledge on the effect of these programmes on household food security, particularly among fish farming households in Nigeria. Therefore, this study engaged the Foster-Greer-Thorbecke model and the Probit model to examine the food insecurity incidence and the drivers of food security among the fish farming households in Nigeria. The study engaged secondary data of 1,587 fish farmers from the 2018/19 Nigeria Living Standard Survey panel data. The food insecurity estimates show that about 52.49% of fish farmers are food secure. The result further shows that most food insecure households are males, married, have fish farming as a primary occupation, reside in a rural area and are from the Northern part of the country with no formal education. Empirical evidence reveals that education, household size, access to phone, occupation, sector and location of the household head are the major determinants of food security. The study concludes that educating the fish farmers and upgrading the rural facilities will increase the probability of food security among the fish farming households in Nigeria.

Adequate consumption of protein is indispensable for human growth and health. Nigeria has a high burden of protein deficiency with attendant loss of economic productivity and high health bills due to ill-health. Owing to paucity of information on demand for protein foods among Nigerian youths, the study assessed the demand for protein foods among students of the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. The data collected from 300 students through a multi-stage smapling procedure were analysed using descriptive statistics and Quadratic Almost Ideal System model (QUAIDS). The results have shown that some of the price coefficients expectedly had a negative relationship with the expenditures. The youths also spent more on beans and chicken but spent less on groundnut. Furthermore, expenditure elasticities of all protein foods were positive. Moreover, expenditure elasticities for beans, eggs, beef and goat meat showed that they were necessities goods, whereas chicken, turkey, soy milk, pork, groundnut and milk were luxury goods. Both compensated and uncompensated elasticity showed that own-price elasticities for the selected protein food items were inelastic, with the exception of goat meat. Demand for protein foods was influenced by own-prices of the protein foods, prices of other protein foods and being a male student. In order to meet their daily dietary needs within a limited budget, students should substitute expensive protein sources like chicken, goat meat, beef and turkey with cheaper ones like groundnut, soymilk, beans and eggs in their diets.

Nutrient utilization is determined by absorbable and digestible nutrients in fish feeds. The aim of the experiment was to investigate the effects of unprocessed dried leaves of Telfairia occidentalis (UDLTO) and Mucuna utilis (UDLMU) on histology and growth of C. gariepinus.  Sixteen weeks feeding trial experiment was conducted using two hundred and twenty-five Clarias gariepinus with a mean weight 4.16±0.09g. Fish meal was replaced with 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% levels of UDLMU and UDLTO. Growth parameters and histological examinations were carried out according to standard procedures. Mean Weight Gain (MWG) of 0% (15.8g) was significantly higher P0.05 compared to other treatments. Specific Growth Rate (SGR) of 0% (0.64) varied significantly P0.05 than other levels of inclusions. Kidneys of fish fed 25 and 50% graded levels showed patchy vacuolar degeneration of the renal tubules. Gills of fish fed 75 and 100% graded levels showed diffuse capillaries and moderate congestion of lamellar in the gills. Tissue examinations of fish fed 50, 75 and 100% graded levels exhibited clinical signs of moderate atrophy and vacuolation of hepatocytes and diffuse hepatocellular swelling and degeneration in the liver. Histological investigations revealed fragmentation and atrophy of muscle fibre in fish fed 75% graded level. There was moderate atrophy of villi of the intestine of fish fed 100% graded level. It is apparent that the increased levels of UDLMU and UDLTO could not support good growth as presumed due to the presence of anti-nutritional factors in the leaves.Keywords: Nutrient utilization, Fish meal, Inclusions, standard procedures, Clinical signs

Males and females broodstock of Clarias gariepinus (mean weight, 884.00±2.83g) were subjected to dietary supplementation of Cattle Stick (Carpolobia lutea) Leaf (CSL) at different inclusion levels of 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% to evaluate the efficacy of the plant for growth performance and fertility enhancer.  Clarias gariepinus broodstock (96) were allocated into 12 experimental fibre tanks at 8 fish per tank (4 males and 4 females) fed 40% crude protein at 3% body weight twice daily for 56 days. Each treatment was done in triplicate.  Biological evaluation and reproductive indices were measured. There was significant difference (P0.05) in weight gained by fish fed experimental diets.  Fish fed experimental diets containing CSL showed significantly higher (P 0.05) reproductive indices compared to the control diet. 0.5% inclusion level of CSL showed better performance in term of growth performance and reproductive indices and may be considered to be the best tolerance inclusion level for growth performance and fertility enhancer. The results of the study indicate that incorporating Cattle stick leaf diets in fish feed at 0.5% may have the potential for growth performance and fertility-enhancing agent in male and female C. gariepinus broodstock.Keywords: Clarias gariepinus, Carpolobia lutea leaf Growth, Reproductive indices, Broodstock